- By Vishal Pushkar
- Wed, 02 Jul 2025 07:11 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Beleaguered India football head coach Manolo Marquez has stepped down from his position today on Wednesday following a "mutual agreement" with the All India Football Federation (AIFF). This decision comes amidst significant pressure on the AIFF to address the national team's recent decline in performance.
The AIFF Executive Committee, during its meeting in New Delhi today, agreed to release the 56-year-old Spaniard. Marquez had expressed his desire to depart despite having one year remaining on his contract, which he signed in June 2024.
"The AIFF and Manolo decided to mutually part ways without any financial implications to any of the two parties. So, he is relieved from being India coach. The AIFF will shortly advertise for the post of head coach," AIFF Deputy Secretary General K Satyanarayana was quoted as saying by PTI.
The Spaniard was appointed as head coach in June 2024 for a two-year tenure. He worked in a dual role last year as he was also the head coach of Indian Super League side FC Goa in 2024-25 season.
India lost 0-1 to lower-ranked Hong Kong in an away match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on June 10, which left the country in danger of missing out on qualifying for the continental showpiece in 2027.
India logged just one win from their last eight matches under Marquez's tutelage, the lone victory coming against Maldives in March.
This year, India have so far played four matches, out of which they have won one, drew another, and lost two. The poor results prompted the return of former skipper and iconic striker Sunil Chhetri to the squad but that has done little to improve the team's fortunes.
Inputs from PTI